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Filmmaker Michael Moore, facing a US government probe into a
recent trip to Cuba, has lashed out at the Bush administration,
declaring he did nothing illegal by visiting the communist-ruled
island.

"I have broken no laws, and I have nothing to hide," the
maverick director wrote in a letter to US Treasury Secretary Henry
Paulson posted at the Daily Kos website.

A day earlier, Moore, whose 2004 documentary Fahrenheit 9/11
skewered US President George Bush for his actions following the
September 11 attacks, released a letter from the Treasury
Department that warned Moore of its investigation.

US citizens are generally barred from traveling to the communist
country unless approved by the government under a broad trade
embargo imposed against Cuba since 1962.

The Treasury letter implies Moore did not have authorisation,
asks for more information and warns of possible civil or criminal
penalties.

A Treasury spokeswoman has declined to comment on any specific
investigation and noted the agency sends hundreds of letters each
year seeking details about possible violations.

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Moore was in Cuba in March to film a segment for his new
documentary SiCKO, which seeks to "expose the health care
industry's greed and control over America's political processes,"
the director wrote in his letter.

News reports have said Moore took volunteer rescue workers who
suffered health problems after September 11 to Cuba where they
received better care than in the United States.

Moore spokesman Chris Lehane declined comment on the exact
events that took place in Cuba during the filmmaker's visit. But he
did say the director brought with him some "9/11 heroes who had
serious health problems."

"People will be very surprised and provoked as to what motivated
the trip and actually transpired in Cuba," Lehane said. He added
that Moore chose to post the letter on Daily Kos because that site
"has been leading the fight for real reforms ... which is exactly
what Michael does with his films."

The Weinstein Co., which is backing SiCKO, said it hired
high-profile Washington attorney David Boies to represent the film
and brought on two New York publicity firms.

SiCKO is to premiere at France's Cannes film festival this month
and in US theatres on June 29. Health care groups and US
politicians have already given reactions supporting and attacking
Moore over the movie.

The storm of publicity and controversy is reminiscent of the
lead-up to Fahrenheit 9/11, which became the top-grossing political
documentary of all time, raking in roughly $222 million at
worldwide box offices.